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Original poster

What have you never bought or no longer buy because you think it's a waste of money?

488 replies

Zipps · 31/07/2023 22:17

Dog accessories - they have a coat for the depths of winter but that's it.
Bath bombs - completely pointless.
Many kitchen gadgets.
Clothes/shoes that aren't a perfect fit.

OP posts:
aceofbasefan20 · 02/08/2023 14:48

Even though I'm a huge bookworm, I rarely buy new books anymore unless it's one I really want, I usually borrow from the library instead

VinEtFromage · 02/08/2023 15:00

AsterixAndPersimmon · 02/08/2023 09:25

But it’s quite easy to have cloths that are clearly different for cat wee and still put them with a normal wash?

That’s what I do with the cloth used to clean toilets. I used it, put it in the wash with the rest of the clothes and use it again just for that?

Show quote history

@AsterixAndPersimmon

of course it is, but the conversation I was having with the other poster was that she doesn't do that, she just uses a cloth for 'whatever', they get washed then she uses them for 'whatever', so could be cat pee then drying dishes.

however, I don't wash 'clean cloths' (dish cloths, tea towels) with dirty cloths (floors, toilets) together or with clothes, I don't find it hygienic.

I don't have enough 'dirty jobs' to have them sitting around until there's enough of them to warrant a wash and I don't want them in the wash with my clothes.

i don't have enough 'old clothes' past their use by, to use 'rags'.

we all make different environmental choices. I'm happy to buy paper towel/kitchen roll for what I use it for.

VinEtFromage · 02/08/2023 15:04

lastminutewednesday · 02/08/2023 13:38

Branded pain killers. You are effectively paying for the pretty box, they do the same as supermarket 90p ones.

@@lastminutewednesday that's not true though, the 'branded' ones have a coating that enables me to swallow them. The non branded ones are more dry, powder coated and I really struggle to swallow them.

im happy to pay a few p more to get a product im happier with.

Bassetlover · 02/08/2023 15:18

Bottled water unless it's an absolute emergency.

BunnyBetChetwynnd · 02/08/2023 15:23

Callipygion · 01/08/2023 10:52

What about fat off sausages? I cook my sausages on a George Foreman grill and use the fat that runs off with seeds to make a fatball. Is that bad?

Show quote history

I think that you would have the problem with the blending of the meat juices and the fat so shouldn't use it.

temosmail · 02/08/2023 16:56

@BunnyBetChetwynnd what are "meat juices"? Fat?

temosmail · 02/08/2023 16:59

@VinEtFromage that's a preference, the tablets still remove pain at the same speed

VinEtFromage · 02/08/2023 17:26

temosmail · 02/08/2023 16:59

@VinEtFromage that's a preference, the tablets still remove pain at the same speed

And??

I never said otherwise!

the poster said there was no difference. There is. She didn't say there was no difference in the effectiveness! She was saying it's just nicer packaging,

SkylarSpirit · 02/08/2023 17:53

aceofbasefan20 · 02/08/2023 14:48

Even though I'm a huge bookworm, I rarely buy new books anymore unless it's one I really want, I usually borrow from the library instead

Same.

I found out the other day that my local library is the second busiest library in the UK (first is in Manchester) which is excellent. I feel bad for people without decent local libraries.

Sennelier1 · 02/08/2023 18:02

Panty liners. They're bad for my body, bad for the environment ánd bad for my budget.

Pollydarling · 02/08/2023 18:05

25sheets · 31/07/2023 22:24

I don't understand how you manage without kitchen roll? We ran out tonight and I've just cooked vegetarian burgers on a pan. There is some grease and I would use the kitchen roll to wipe that up rather than pour down the drain. What do you do?

Show quote history

Wait for it to solidify and then scrape out or pour it into a ramekin etc

MummyToOrla · 02/08/2023 18:10

Loads of things...

Fabric softener.
Kitchen roll.
Disposable nappies (we use cloth).
Ditto for baby wipes (cloth for the win again).
Cleaning sprays (as a pp said, they do nothing that bleach tablets or washing up liquid can't do).
Don't do regular hair cuts as such - I have an undercut so top that up myself and go maybe once a year to have the top section trimmed and shaped.
Don't wear makeup regularly so just stopped buying it.
I only buy a new item of clothing when something has died a death and can't be repaired.
Same with shoes - 1 pair each of boots, flats for work, trainers, flat sandals and heels. Don't need duplicates of things.

LowMaintenance101 · 02/08/2023 18:18

asleeponthetable · 31/07/2023 23:42

Coffee pods - too expensive
fabric conditioner - bad for your clothes, the environment plus make your clothes a fire hazard. Use it on waterproofs though as it helps them.
hair dye - just accepting it as it is for the first time since I was 13
TV license - who needs it
New books - joined the library and pick random things now
Matching crockery, cups and glasses - accepting they’ll just keep getting broken and I’m contributing masses of crap because I like them being sets
Random cleaning products - toilet cleaner, bleach, toilet cleaner and disinfectant only..: but I do use kitchen roll although only go through about a roll a month: and household flea spray every 6 months
cooking sauces - waste of money, I do use specific spice/curry pastes for things
garden lighting - just because they’re rubbish and break too easily
chicken breasts - tasteless and expensive
clothes and shoes nee - Vinted/eBay
Brands for unimportant ingredients or where it tastes the same

I do splash out on -
Quality base ingredients: passata, garlic paste, sundried tomato paste, vanilla bean paste
Heinz condiments,
shampoo and conditioner, good but limited make up,
pet food (normally foreign brands who are much better quality at the same price as UK brands which are mostly absolute junk and raw food)
tea bags

Really interested in the foreign pe food brands. Which brands and where do you buy them?

simiisme · 02/08/2023 18:39

Same!
No magazines - they were 90% adverts
Fabric conditioner - washing machine has never been stinky since I stopped using it

Original poster
Zipps · 02/08/2023 18:40

I'm giving up ever buying fabric conditioner after this thread. I barely used it anyway and ran out a while ago.
Also just joined the library as I want to get back into reading more.
I'm liking all the minimalist ideas too less clutter and crap = more money to do things instead.

OP posts:
Carlosi456 · 02/08/2023 18:57

Don't use/have never used; burgers, ironing board, kitchen roll (use loo roll if I need a tissue in kitchen), air freshener, fabric softener, magazines, newspapers, sky t.v, dishwasher, a bath, fragranced anything and many other things - anti-consumption, pro- planet - simple life. Don't wear make up, buy new clothes, get nails done. One concession £1.99 coloured shampoo from Superdrug to stave off the grey. Happy.

HelenaTranscart · 02/08/2023 18:58

Oven clean. Bloke wanted £140, a huge increase on last time, that's just taking the p!ss. Bought ovenpride and a scraper, put on 80s music, and scrubbed. Sorted!

Mrsgreen100 · 02/08/2023 19:11

No more make up remover or cleanser
now I use coconut oil , and a cheap white flannel, works a treat
also use flannels to dry feet etc after showering, the big towels are washed every 3 time now it’s saving lots

Ilovegardens · 02/08/2023 19:19

Tesco grocery deliveries - too many subs, short dates on fresh food and rising prices.

Tahlbias · 02/08/2023 19:28

Secondwindplease · 31/07/2023 22:21

Kitchen roll. Never understood it.

I use nothing but kitchen roll for everything! I can't live without it!

Lolaandbehold · 02/08/2023 19:34

this isn’t quite the same but I never take a taxi if I can get bus or train. I think nothing of spending £300 on a nice dinner but I’ll get the bus to the restaurant. Drives my husband insane. But I think they are such a waste of money.

TrixieMixie · 02/08/2023 19:36

youveturnedupwelldone · 31/07/2023 22:26

Same on the cleaning products - dish soap, bleach and an acidic toilet cleaner covers every cleaning need in the house! My bathroom never looked so clean since I started cleaning it with dish soap, toilet cleaner does the kitchen limescale etc.

Expensive hand soap. Love it, but no one including me misses it. Cheap bar soap and hand wash works just as well - we go through it too fast to justify the expense of the L'occitane I used to buy.

Top brand laundry products - have never bought one. Own brands are just as good and lots less £.

What’s dish soap? Never heard that term. Is it washing up liquid?

CheshireCat1 · 02/08/2023 19:37

A car

OsirisservesAnubis · 02/08/2023 19:41

TrixieMixie · 02/08/2023 19:36

What’s dish soap? Never heard that term. Is it washing up liquid?

Show quote history

Yes.

Mysa74 · 02/08/2023 19:42

Food for me. I never get to eat it .